the club you can never leave Muslim clerics want curbs on...

the club you can never leave Muslim clerics want curbs on conversions
SMH July 28, 2005 - 2:44PM



Indonesian clerics are calling for strong measures to prevent Muslims from converting to other religions, especially Christianity.

Indonesia is the world's largest Islamic nation.

But the influential Indonesian Ulema Council, which is holding its national congress, has expressed concern that the percentage of Muslims has dropped in some parts of the country.

They said Christian preachers have penetrated some provinces at "an alarming rate," according to The Jakarta Post.

"The phenomenon ... is most disturbing," it quoted a report presented at the conference.

The council is expected to adopt edicts at the end of its congress on Saturday aimed at discouraging religious conversions, including statements against mixed marriages and television shows that promote mysticism.

Indonesia recognises five religions including Christianity.

But attacks against Christians, who comprise eight per cent of the 210 million-strong population, have increased since ex-dictator Suharto's downfall in 1998.
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Muslim groups say evangelical Christians are partly to blame for rising religious tensions, accusing them of trying to convert Muslims, which is illegal in Indonesia.

Currently, three women from the West Java town of Indramayu are on trial for attempting to convert Muslim children to Christianity.